HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM, 4 November 2021 – Slated to open its doors to the public in the 4th quarter of 2022, Villa le Voile – one of Ho Chi Minh City’s last remaining heritage properties – will be reborn as Vietnam’s premier heritage and dining destination, revealing a different side of the country that is complex, contemporary, and continuously evolving. An architectural tour de force blending indigenous Vietnamese, Chinese, and French influences, the two-storey heritage home is one of only 52 Category One heritage buildings in the city and will bring back to life a slice of Saigonese history on Vo Van Tan Street.

 
The villa was constructed between 1927 and 1930 on a 3,000-square-meter plot of land, located in one of Saigon’s most desirable districts and a preferred residential area of the elite. The 1,500-square-meter villa has since witnessed Saigon’s embattled and transformative history – enduring periods and events such as the French Colonial Rule, the First Indochina War, and the Vietnam War.

 
With a vision to conserve and rehabilitate the building to its former glory, the villa was acquired in 2015 by Minerva Corporation, which has since invested over US$20 million into the building’s restoration alone. Villa le Voile appointed renowned specialists Palazzo Spinelli Institute for Art and Restoration from Italy and Stonewest from the UK, whose respective body of work have included country estates, cathedrals, and other historical and cultural institutions around, to undertake a formidable full-scale restoration of the heritage property. In line with the Villa’s mission to involve with the local community, both specialists engaged nearly 200 workers and students from the Ho Chi Minh University of Technology (HUTECH), providing an imprint of learning and continuation for restoration and adaptation of heritage assets.

Villa le Voile embraces its location’s vibrant history while offering a glimpse into the city’s future as a burgeoning international destination. Its name is inspired by voile (French for “veil”), symbolizing its extensive seven-year journey of studies and restoration – as well as the many layers of history unveiled in the process, the findings of which will be on permanent exhibit at the villa.

 
Villa le Voile will present the finest authentic expressions in dining and culture in the heart of Saigon. Comprised of a main villa, a flexible space for temporary exhibitions and pop-up events, and an outdoor landscape area, the villa will house three must-visit dining destinations punctuated by artistic spirit, cultural sensitivity, and heritage promotion in order to create unforgettable experiences for locals and visitors alike.

A place for inspiration, community, and cultural exploration, Villa le Voile will serve as a venue for exchange and understanding of Vietnam through exhibitions, workshops, and other programs to take place year-round. Says Nguyen Vu Anh Thi, General Director of Minerva Corporation, “We are fully committed to the promotion and preservation of heritage in Vietnam, beginning with Villa le Voile. We continue to strive for an authentic reflection of Saigon while elevating our standards for culture and dining.”

Built between 1927 and 1930, Villa le Voile has stood on Vo Van Tan Street – previously named Rue Testard – for nearly a century. 

 Yet the villa, constructed on a 3,000-square-meter plot of land, never lost its charm: a distinctive fusion of Vietnamese, Chinese, and French design elements that uniquely represent the city’s history and cultural identity.

The villa was acquired by Minerva Corporation from its previous owners, the heirs of Ms. Trần Thị Nên, who purchased the villa in 1950 and retained ownership for some 65 years.

The 1,500-square-meter villa has witnessed Saigon’s embattled and colorful history, including periods and events such as the French Colonial Rule, the First Indochina War, and the Vietnam War. 

From the mid-1950s through 1976, the villa witnessed the flourishing of Saigon’s educational system, housing a number of private high schools and an English-language school.

Throughout the 1990s and the 2000s, parts of the villa were rented out as antique shops and other commercial purposes until the villa’s sale in 2015.

To undertake a full restoration study, Minerva appointed CNPN, a local team of specialists led by heritage architect Nicolas Viste, to undertake a full restoration assessment. 

Following a comprehensive three-year assessment phase, CNPN was joined by renowned restorers Stonewest (based in the UK) and Palazzo Spinelli (based in Italy), whose respective body of work have included country estates, cathedrals, and other historical and cultural institutions around the world. 

Bringing back to life a slice of history for locals as well as tourists remains at the heart of the undertaking. Amid Ho Chi Minh City’s evolution, Villa le Voile stands as a witness of its vibrant past, an essential piece of Saigon’s built heritage.